Practice gun



L1 KASSLER June 6, 1939.

PRACTICE GUN Filed May 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR L ouz's K'ass/e CH1 2 91M. ATTORNEY L. KASSLER PRACTICE GUN June 6, 1939.

Filed May 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR L VHIS Kass [er llli I5!!! ATTORN EY June 6, 1939. v KASS R 2,161,172

PRACTICE GUN Filed-May 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR L ouz's I1 455/?! ATTORNEY L. KASSLE R June 6, 1939.

PRACTICE GUN Filed May 14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 w @x m INVENTOR L aul's uss/(r BY mAh$ ywmv Mb ATTORNEY Patented June 6, 1939 PRACTICE GUN Louis Kassler,

ApplicationwMay 14;

11 Claims.

This :inven-tion relates to n'on-shoot-ing or dummy guns adapted for use in target practice, 7 and" moret-particularlyto that type of vdevice wherein the imageaofia target is projected onto a screen 5;; or wallandiwhereinmeans is provided, which operates .upon aimingthe-gun and pulling the trigger tohautomatically project a spot onto the screen: at 1 that point at which the gun is beinghaimeds MOreJparticuIarIy, the invention relates I to -a device-cor thischaracter wherein meansjis provided, which operates on pulling of the trigger topuncture the target by means of a needle or other: sharp instrument and :iwherein the-'-needle aiming; and-on pullingof the trigger, is automaticallyprojected through the target;

Ar further object of my inventionis'to provide an! improved movingtarget with suitablefigures-- thereon, such as those of birds infiight.

Other. objects-of my invention include simplicity of construction; such an economy of" Figure 3 is an enlarged central sectional viewpartly brokenaway-and partly in elevation showing'. the detail" of the targetpuncturing amechamsm; V Figure 4 is a sectional view also enlarged taken on the line 44 .of Figure3;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the gun trigger and its. mounting;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 4 the line'61 6 of Figure 3.

taken on the line 1+1 of Figure 3;

Figure 8-is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing a modification; 50 Figure '9-=-is an' enlarged central sectional "View,

Figure 8.;

FigurerlO isv azvertic'aLsectionaliview taken on therline; "1+ I "of-Figure; 8 55 i: Figures-11a. is zano enlarged detail 3 view: of I the followsttheaco-urse of movement of the gun in Figure-'71s an enlarged detail sectional .viewpartly in elevation; of thestructur eshown in New York; ,N.-VY..

1937, Serial"N6.-' 142,530

Figure 9;

showing; the parts in a'different position;

Figure 13 isa sectional viewtaken on the-line |3-|3;

Figure 14 is 'asection'al view" taken on the line Figure -15 is an*enlarged--detai1 view of certain" cf the parts shown inFigtire 12;

Figure-16 is-a side elevation-of a moving target construction; and

Figure 17 is-an-end-elevation'of the construc tion shown in Figure 16.

Referring more particularly to Fi'g'ure'l; ref erence character w denotes a casing whose 'interior-is divided by a partition '2l into a comand -23 at the right; ahorizontal partition 2 l separating-'thecompartments; 23 and 23"; The partition 2| -is provided with an opening -25 -'--to" display a target 26 or preferably aseries of"tar gets printed on-a strip 21, which strip is 'held against thoperiing ZB-by L shaped metal flanges 3fl shown more particularly in Figure' 4-."

The "front Wall of i the casing is provided with a--bushing*32' extending therethrough' and in *WhlCh is slidablymounted a tube iii-adapted to holda'le'n's or'lenses 34' for thepurpose'of projecting-the image-of the' target on ascreen- 35? The tube 33 maybe moved'in and out'to focusthelens. Mountedon the base of the compartment'in abracket 31 isan incandescent lamp 38 bacl ofwhicllis a reflector=39 placed at-approxcasing-520;

Secured to the sides of-thecasingZO' at the rear thereof are opposite channel members 42,-

between" which extends a supporting plate 43; which together-with the partition 2|; form bearings-for a vertical shaft 44". Mounted on trigger actuating switching'me'chanism shownin Figure=-12 is a' viewtak'en from the oppositeside"'of 'the-=mechanisrn shown in Figure 11=.and-':

partmen-t 22' at the left'and compartments 23;"

imately an angle of 45 to the bottom'of-the the topoftheshaft I land secured thereto by 'a bolt and nut isa U shaped member or clip 46j'jWhiCh pivotal-ly--supportsat 41"near its upand trigger guard 53: The trigger 52 'ha's an'- up ward extension '51 1 which projects into a chamber58 hollo-wed'out of "the gun'- stock jandis adaptedto engage a lever'fiopivoted at-its rea'r per-end the dummy gun 48- which comprises a; stock 29 and-a "barrel'50 with 'sight; trigger -52} end at 6|, extending forwardly and provided withan opening '63' near' its forward end:

When the trigger is pulled; the lever-* BU is raised andthe forward end of the lever engages a knob or other enlargement 64 at the upper end of a rod or wire 55, thus raising the rod, the eifect of which will be more particularly described hereafter.

Pivotally mounted on the horizontal partition or floor 2| is a stud I0, formed U shaped at its upper ends, and pivotally mounted at H between the sides of the U is a body member I2 and adapted to move in a vertical plane. The member I2 is formed with a cylindrical compartment I5 therein which communicates with the outside through an upper slot I6. Mounted to slide in the chamber 15 is a plunger 'I'I, having a rearward extension I9 which snugly fits and slides in a bore 80.

Located in a chamber I5 and surrounding the extension I9 is a helical spring 82 bearing at one end against the shoulder 83 and at its rear end against the rear wall of the chamber 15.

Secured in the plunger TI and extending forwardly through the forward end of the body member I2 is a needle 85, the point 86 of which, in the position of the parts shown in Figure 3, extends through the paper or other puncturable target. The body member 72, intermediate at its ends, is formed with an upward extension 88, formed as a U at its top, between the sides of which at 89 is pivoted a lever 90 having a rearward extension and a forward hooked shaped extension 92, the forward end of which latter extension is inclined, as indicated at 93. The lever 9|! is normally maintained in the tilted position by a helical spring 94, bearing at one end against the forward portion of the lever 90 and at the opposite end against the bottom of a bore ill in the body member I2.

Mounted in the plunger TI and extending upwardly through the slot I6 is a cylindrical stud 95, the top of which is expanded to form a head 91 in the bottom of which is an annular recess 98, in which in the retracted position of the plunger, the extension 93 of the lever 90 is adapted to be received.

The rear end M of the lever 90 is secured to the rod 55 and the rear end of the body I2 is connected by a rod 98 with the trigger guard 53 of the gun 56. It will be seen that due to this latter connection, during aiming movements of the gun, the pivotal point of engagement of the rod 98 with the body member I2 will partake of the movements of that point of the gun at which the rod 98' is secured. To secure the proper scanning of the target 26 by the needle to correspond to points at which the gun is aimed, the proper proportioning of parts is obviously an essential factor.

Lying on the partition 2! is a lever I99, preferably of sheet metal, having an opening IIJI surrounding the shaft 44, and the metal of the lever is bent up at I02 to form an ear which is bolted to the shaft M at I94. The forward end of the lever carries a stud I95, which is adapted to be received in an elongated opening I95 in a bar I01 rigidly secured to the stud I0. I It will be seen from the above construction that the turning force is applied to the shaft M at two points, one at the connection of the clip member with the shaft 44 and the other at the connection of lever IIJI] with the shaft, the movement of the gun being transmitted to the shaft through the connecting rod 98, body I2, stud I0 and bars I01 and I00.

The body member I2 is formed with two laterally extending brackets I I9, having openings therethrough in which is adaptedto slide a bar III, formed at one end with an offset portion H2 adapted to engage the stud 95 for the purpose of moving the stud and plunger against the action of the spring 82 to retracted position, moving the point of the needle away from the target 25. Rod III may, if desired, be provided at its rear end with a handle (not shown) for retracting the rod in order to insure the rod remaining in its forward position, that is, in a position in which the extension I I2 is out of contact with the stud 95. A helical spring IHI is employed, which surrounds the rod and bears at its rear end against one of the two brackets H9, and at its forward end against a collar I I2 suitably secured to the rod III.

From the above description, the operation will be clear. Considering the parts in the positions shown in Figure 1 with the target inserted between the flanges 30, the operator adjusts the tube 33 so that the proper image of the target is thrown on the screen 45. He then pulls the rod III, and the plunger 11 and the stud 95 are retracted, by engagement with the offset portion I I2 on the rod I I I, until the expanded top 91 engages the forward inclined end of the extension 92 of the lever, thence turning the lever in a counterclockwise direction and permitting the hooked forward end of the lever to enter the annular recess 98. In this position, the plunger and needle are held in retracted position with the point of the needle adjacent to and in back of the target.

The gun is then aimed and all vertical and horizontal movements of the gun are imparted to the body member 72 through the connection 98. As the image of the target is thrown on the screen is reversed, it will be seen from the construction shown that upward movements of the gun muzzle will be converted into a downward movement of the needle, and likewise movement of the gun muzzle to the left, will result in movement of the needle 85 to the right.

When the gun has been aimed, the trigger is pulled and the extension 51 on the trigger raises the lever 69, which in turn raises the rod 65, tilting the lever 93 in a counterclockwise direction and releasing the hooked end 93 from the stud 97, thus permitting the spring 82 to force the plunger TI and needle 85 to a position where the point of the needle has punctured a hole in the target. The parts are then in a position shown in Figure 3. The rod or bar III is then pulled, withdrawing the needle fromv the target and returning the parts to position shown in Figure 1 with the needle locked in retracted position. Light from the lamp 35, instead of being reflected from the entire target surface toward the lens, will pass through the opening made by the needle, and there will thus be a dark spot formed on the image of the target on the screen 35, indicating the point at which the gun was aimed.

In the construction shown in Figure 1, the needle is manually withdrawn after the trigger is pulled. In the construction shown in Figures 8 to 15, the needle is automatically withdrawn and means is provided for controlling the movement of the needle electrically.

In the latter construction, the mounting of the gun on the clip 46, shaft 44 and bearings for the shaft are substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 4. As may be seen in Figure 9, the rotary stud I0 carries a supporting member I20, which is pivotally connected at its rear end of supply I15, which in. the present instance may.

. core or armature I26;

to abar I2I- riveted at I22 to a downwardly extending projection I 23;v of thetrigger, guard- 53 The metal support I20 carries at its forward end an electromagnet or solenoid I25 having a The solenoid is preferably iron clad, and the core has a rearenlargement I28 of soft iron, between whichvand the rear of the coil is an electric spring I30which tends to move the armature to retracted position. Secured to and. extended forwardly of the armature and out through the forward end of the coil I25 is a needle I32, which is shown in Figure 9 in its retracted. position and a .short distance behindthe target. The trigger 52' is designed to operate-a switch shown conventionally in Figure 9 and shown in detail in Figures 11 to 15. Figure 12 shows conventionallythea electric circuit through the solenoid I25.

The stock- 49 of the gun shown in Figure 9 is formed with a recess, compartment or cham ber 58 and mounted on a side wall of said chamber is a. supporting plate I40 formed with an upper projecting stud I44 and a lower stud I45.

Plvotally mounted on the stud I44 is a plate I41 formed with a large central opening I48, beneath which is a projecting lug I49. The metal of the plate I41 is cut away at I50, the cut away metal being bent at approximately right angles to the surface of the plate forming a trigger 52.

Pivotally mounted on the stud I45 and extending upwardly therefromis a plate I52, the upper part of which is bent at right angles to the lower part at I53 andformed as an extending lug I54, the purpose of which will be described hereafter.

Mounted on the portion I53 is a laterally extending movable contact I56 which is adapted to engage a stationary contact I51 mounted on a fibre plate I58, held by suitable rivets I59 to extensions I60 and I SI of the stationary plate I40. The metal of the extension I6I of the plate I40 is bent forward at I 63 to form a stop for the forward swinging movement of theplate I41, and the metal of the plate I40 is cut away and bent forward at I64 to form a stopwise for the plate I41.

Likewise mounted on the stud I45 of the plate I 45 is a downwardly extending dog or pawl I65, having an upper extension I66adapted to engage a stud I61 secured to the pivoted plate. I52. A relatively weak spring I64 connects the extension I68 with the lug I54 on the plate I52 and a relatively strong spring I10 connects the portion I53 with a stationary lug I1 I on the plate I40.

The stationary plate I40 may be grounded, as at I13, and the stationary contact I51 is connected by a, conductor I14 with a suitable source be a pair of dry-cells, to one terminal of the source of supply. I15 and the other terminal may be connected to one terminal of the coil I25, the other terminal being grounded as at I16.

The operation of the device shown in Figures 8 to 15 is as follows:

When the gun is aimed and the trigger pulled, the plate I41 is swung toward the left, as shown in Figure 12 against the action of the spring I10 and during this movement, the weaker spring I64 maintains the extension I66 in contact with the pin I01 on the pivotal plate I52. During this movement, the stud I49 approaches and engages the lower end of the pawl I65 (see, for example, Fig. 11). Further movement of the trigger toward the left in Figure 12 brings the pawl and stud into the position shown in Figure 11, and also brings the movable contact I56 into engagement with the stationary contact I51, thus closing 'the cireuit through the source of supply and the coil I25. When this occurs, the coil attracts the armature I28 against the action of the spring I30, causing the needle 85 to advance and penetrate the target. Upon further movement toward the left of the trigger, in Figure 12, the parts assume a position in which the pawl I65 has left the stud. I49, thus permitting the relatively strong spring I10.to turn the plate I52. in a counterclockwise direction, disengaging the contact I56 from the contact I51, thus breaking the circuit. When this occurs, the spring I30 of the coil I25 retracts,

the needle 85 to a position shown in Figure 9.

During the operation thus far described, extension. I66 of the pawl I65 remains in contact with the lug I 6.1. On the return movement of the trigger (toward the right in Fig. 11), which takes place under the action of the spring I10, the stud I49 swings the pawl I 45in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 12, and at this time, the extension I56 leaves the stud I61, thus stretching the weaker spring I64 and permitting the stud I49 to pass under the pawl I65 until the parts regain their initial position, as shown in Figure 12. It will be seen that during: this return movement, the contacts I56 and I51 are not reengaged. The spot thus formed on the target is projected on the target image, thus,

indicating. the accuracy of the marksmans aim.

Figures 16 and 17 show a modified form of target wherein a target disk I has depicted thereon, such as that shown at IBI, indicating a bird in flight. The target disk is mounted to rotate a central bearing member or stud I83, which is suitably supported from the partition 2| by an L shaped bracket I86. In practice the target disk will be spun before aiming and the needle which penetrates the disk will serve to stop this rotation, thus giving a persistent indication on the screen of the accuracy of the aim.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a markable target, means for illuminating the front face of said target and projecting light therefrom forwardly of the gun to form an inverted image of the same, a gun, a pivotal support therefor, a marker behind said target, a pivotal support for said marker, an operating connection between said gun and support whereby aiming movements of the gun barrel are communicated to said mark.

2. In a device of the character described, a markable target, means for illuminating the front face of said target and projecting light therefrom forwardly of the gun to form an in verted image of the same, a gun, a pivotal support therefor, a marker behind said target, a pivotal support for said marker, an operating connection between said gun and support whereby aiming movements of the gun barrel are communicated to said marker, the connection with the barrel and marker passing through one pivoted support.

3. In a device of the character described, a markable target, means for illuminating the front face of said target and projecting light therefrom forwardly of the gun to form an inverted image of the same, a pivoted gun, a needle behind the target, a pivotal support for said needle, resilient means adapted to retract said needle, electromagnetic means adapted to overcome said resilient means to advance said needle to puncture the target and means controlled by the gun trigger for momentarily closing and opening a circuit through said electromagnetic means when the trigger is pulled and maintaining said circuit open during return of said trigger.

4. In a device of the character described, a markable target, means for illuminating the front of said target and projecting an image thereof on a screen in the front of the gun, a movably supported gun having a trigger, a marker behind said target, an operating connection between said gun and marker for positioning said marker to mark said target at a point corresponding to the point of the image at which the gun is aimed, means between trigger and marker whereby on pulling said trigger said marker is advanced to said target and means for withdrawing said marker from said target.

5. In a device of the character described, a markable target, means for illuminating the front of said target and projecting an image thereof on a screen in the front of the gun, a movably supported gun having a trigger, a marker behind said target, an operating connection between said gun and marker for positioning said marker to mark said target at a point corresponding to the point of the image at which the gun is aimed, means between trigger and marker whereby on pulling said trigger said marker is advanced to said target, and manual operated means for withdrawing said marker from said target.

6; In a device of the character described, a markable target, a projecting apparatus adapted to form an image of said target, a pivoted gun having a trigger, a needle adjacent said target, resilient means adapted to retract said needle, an electromagnet adapted to overcome said resilient means, a source of current, opposing switch contacts, a mechanical connection between said trigger and contacts whereby on pulling the trigger, the contacts are momentarily closed during a small fraction of the pulling motion of the trigger and opened and are maintained open throughout the return motion of the trigger.

7. In a device of the character described, a markable target, a projecting apparatus adapted to form an image of said target, a pivoted gun having a trigger, a needle adjacent said target, resilient means adapted to retract said needle, an electromagnet adapted to overcome said resilient means, a source of current, opposing switch contacts in the gun, a mechanical connection between said trigger and contacts whereby on pulling the trigger, the contacts are momentarily closed during a small fraction of the pulling motion of the trigger and opened and are maintained open throughout the return motion of the trigger.

8. In a device of the character described, a markable target, a pivoted gun having a trigger, a support, a casing universally pivoted on said support and adjacent a face of said target, a marker movably mounted in said casing, a spring tending to move said marker toward said target, a catch engaging said marker for holding said marker in retracted position, a rod extending from said gun to said catch for releasing said catch, a connection between said trigger and rod for moving said rod, a second rod extending from said gun to said casing for communicating movement of said gun to said casing.

9. In a device of the character described, a markable target, a pivoted gun having a trigger, a support, a casing universally pivoted on said support and adjacent a face of said target, a marker movably mounted in said casing, a spring tending to move said marker toward said target, a catch engaging said marker for holding said marker in retracted position, a rod extending from said gun to said catch for releasing said catch, a connection between said trigger and rod for moving said rod, a second rod extending from said gun to said casing for communicating movement of said gun to said casing and manually operated means for retracting said marker.

10. In a device of the character described, a markable target, a pivoted gun having a trigger, a support, a casing universally pivoted on said support and adjacent the face of the target, a pointed rod forming a marker movably mounted on said casing, a spring tending to move said rod towards said target, said rod being formed with a head and a catch for engaging said head for holding said rod in retracted position, a member extending from said gun to said catch for releasing said catch, a connection between said trigger and member for moving said member, and a second member extending from said gun to said casing for communicating movement of said gun to said casing.

11. In a device of the character described, a markable target, a pivoted gun having a trigger, a support, a casing universally pivoted on said support and adjacent the face of the target, a pointed rod forming a marker movably mounted on said casing, a spring tending to move said rod towards said target, said rod being formed with a head and a catch engaging said head for holding said rod in retracted position, a rod extending from said gun to said catch for releasing said catch, a connection between said trigger and rod for moving said rod, and a second rod extending from said gun to said casing for com- 5 municating movement of said gun to said casing.

LOUIS KASSLER. 

